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In its copy editing protocols, the Charlotte Observer staff states that it should always with the assigning editor or reporter about “any change that could alter the meaning of even one sentence in such a way that might make it inaccurate.” Unfortunately, this Gainesville Sun staff member committed one of the most dangerous rules in journalism: assuming.

He or she “assumed” that Leslie Manning was a boy. This could result in the real Leslie Manning calling the Gainesville Sun to submit a correction, and it may cause Manning to never read the Sun again.

At the Alligator, I always made sure copy editors got the correct gender when an androgynous name (such as Leslie) was involved.